Camera and photographing lens barrel

ABSTRACT

In a camera according to the present invention, an edge portion of a lens barrel unit is projected and arranged from a front cover. The lens barrel unit is covered with a front cover cylindrical member connected to the front cover, and a front exposed portion of the front cover cylindrical member is covered with an exterior cylindrical member as a detachable (before-attaching) metal cylindrical member. The exterior cylindrical member is positioned and is fixed by an stop claw on the front-cover side. A C-shaped stop portion cover having flexibility is made flexible and is attached around the stop claw portion, and is fixed by a screw. The restriction on design is reduced on the appearance for covering the lens barrel unit of the camera, and a camera exterior portion can be made of metal.

[0001] This application claims benefit of Japanese Applications No.2002-161903 filed in Japan on Jun. 3, 2002, No. 2002-161902 filed inJapan on Jun. 3, 2002, No. 2002-169003 filed in Japan on Jun. 10, 2002,No. 2002-171623 filed in Japan on Jun. 12, 2002, No. 2002-178965 filedin Japan on Jun. 19, 2002, the contents of which are incorporated bythis reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an exterior structure around aphotographing lens barrel portion in a camera, a lens barrel and amethod for assembling the lens barrel, and a mounting structure of aprinted-circuit board incorporated in an electric device of the camera.

[0004] 2. Related Art Statement

[0005] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 7-20549discloses a conventional camera body supporting structure of a camera,having the structure of a camera body formed by attaching a front-plateunit, a shutter unit, and a main body unit to a B plate unit from arear-surface side and by attaching a lens barrel unit from afront-surface side. In the above-mentioned camera, a rear cover as anexterior member is attached to the camera body from the rear-surfaceside and, further, a cover unit is attached from the front-surface side.

[0006] However, a barrel cover portion in the cover unit in the cameradisclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.7-20549 needs a taper for pulling out a mold and, when the length of thelens barrel unit is long, the base portion of the barrel cover portionin the cover unit is made thick, thereby causing the limitation ondesign.

[0007] Then, by adopting an exterior structure for inserting a metalcylindrical member into the barrel cover portion with the taper forpulling out the mold, a space is generated at the edge of the metalcylindrical member, the attachment is difficult, and the diameter of themetal cylindrical member is increased. Although the barrel cover portionwithout the taper for pulling out the mold can be produced,unpreferably, the molding is complicated and a parting line is generatedon the surface.

[0008] Further, upon attaching the metal cylindrical member,unpreferably on design, a fixed portion is exposed. Furthermore, uponattaching no metal cylindrical member, the management of parts iscomplicated because the cover unit having a model name must be exchangedin association with the change in assembled camera model.

[0009] In a conventional method for adjusting a lens of a lens barrelhaving a plurality of lens groups, the blur phenomenon on the peripheryis suppressed by reducing an optical eccentricity among the lens groups(center deviation of the lens groups) when the spot adjustment (lenscenter adjustment) between the plurality of lenses are adjusted by acenter adjusting device. Further, advantageously, the MTF performancewith the telecentricity as center is improved.

[0010] On the other hand, when the spot adjustment between the lensgroups is not performed, the center matching is executed by anassembling tool. However, in this case, only the center is adjustedbetween holding frames for holding the lens groups but the opticalcenter matching of the lens groups is not executed. Therefore, theoptical performance is not sufficiently obtained.

[0011] Upon adopting the method for adjusting the lenses by the spotadjustment among the lens groups using the conventional center adjustingdevice, the spot adjustment is performed between a pair of lens groupsarranged to individual frame members (holding frame and lens-groupframe) and, thereafter, the lens groups are fixed to the holding framesby an adhesive. In assembling processing after that, the combination ofthe pair of lens groups must be controlled so as to prevent the changethereof. Further, the control operation is troublesome because thecombination of the lens groups is not visually identified.

[0012] Recent cameras require the high quality and the reduction insize. Therefore, on camera design, a method for reducing the size isutilized by enclosing parts such as a printed-circuit board by theeffective use of a dead space.

[0013] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 7-294790discloses one of the above-mentioned mounting structures of theprinted-circuit board. That is, referring to FIGS. 38A and 38B, in themounting structure disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 7-294790, six printed-circuit boards 151 a to 151 f arecombined hexagonally. The six hexagonally combined printed-circuitboards 151 a to 151 f are accommodated and arranged in a space portion152 a as a ring shaped dead space formed in a lens barrel 152.

[0014] However, the conventional mounting structure of theprinted-circuit boards 151 a to 151 f are not sufficient in views of amounting area (planar area) for mounting an electric part and the smallsize of the arrangement space (space portion) 152 a needs to be ensuredand the large mounting area is further required. In particular, therecent variation of camera specifications causes the addition offunctions using an electronic device and, consequently, the camera has apressing problem that the reduction in size of camera body is assuredand the mounting area (planar area) of the printed-circuit boards can beincreased.

[0015] The above-mentioned situations apply not only to the camera butalso to various electric devices including optical devices having theprinted-circuit board.

[0016] The conventional electric devices have a problem that theincrease in mounting area of the printed-circuit boards results in thegrowing in size thereof.

[0017] Further, a cam groove diagonal to the optical axis is formed to acylindrical frame member as means for controlling the linear movement ofthe frame member, and a cam follower is slidably engaged with the camgroove, thus linearly moving the frame member. In a barrel device usingthe cam groove, the frame member is molded by using a molding tool and,consequently, the manufacturing is inexpensive in costs.

[0018] In the conventional barrel device, the cam groove of the framemember is formed by inclining the opening of the cam groove of the framemember at a predetermined angle so as to prevent an under-positionthereof, in consideration of pulling out a projecting portion of themold from the cam groove. Thus, the mold is pulled out from the product.

[0019] There is a danger that the cam follower drops off from the camgroove by applying unnecessary external force such as shock or fall inthe assembling state in which the cam follower is slidably inserted inthe cam groove of the frame member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, it is one featureof the present invention to provide a camera which enables the reductionin limitations on appearance design of a portion for covering theperiphery of a lens barrel portion therein and further enables a metalexterior portion.

[0021] Further, it is another feature of the present invention toprovide a camera which enables a metal material of an exterior portionfor covering the periphery of a lens barrel therein, the reduction inrestriction on design around a stop portion of a metal exterior member,and easy assembling processing and management of parts.

[0022] Furthermore, it is another feature of the present invention toprovide a lens barrel and a method for assembling the lens barrel, whichfacilitate the management for the combination of a plurality of framemembers for holding a plurality of lens groups.

[0023] In addition, it is another feature of the present invention toprovide an electronic device which realizes the enlargement in mountingarea of printed-circuit boards and the improvement in degree of freedomon design of the printed-circuit boards.

[0024] In addition, it is another feature of the present invention toprovide a barrel apparatus which realizes prevention of the pulling-outof a cam follower with a simple structure.

[0025] According to one aspect of the present invention, one camerahaving a photographing lens barrel, comprises: a first member forcovering the barrel outer-periphery of the photographing lens barrel; asecond member fitting into the outer-periphery of the first member andcovering a part of the exterior of the camera; and a third member madeof a metal material, fitting into the outer periphery of the firstmember and covering the outer periphery of the first member. The thirdmember covers the outer periphery of the first member which covers thephotographing lens barrel and which fits into and is attached to thesecond member.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, a camerahaving an exterior portion thereof assembled backward and forward of aphotographing optical axis, comprises: a first member having acylindrical shape covering a lens barrel portion; a second member whichis substantially box-shaped, for covering the front side of a cameramain body; and a third member made of a metal material, for being fitinto the first member, wherein the exterior portion in front of thecamera is formed by connecting the first member, the second member, andthe third member.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, a camerahaving a cylindrical exterior portion covering a barrel portionincorporating a photographing lens, comprises: a first cylindricalmember which forms the exterior portion and is made of a metal material;a second cylindrical member, as a member covering the barrel portion,which fits into the inner periphery of the first cylindrical member andhas a stop portion for stopping the cylindrical member; and a covermember which can be detachably attached to the second cylindrical memberand covers the stop portion in an attaching state. The stop portion iscovered with the cover member.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, a lensbarrel comprises: a first frame member; a second frame member; and anengaging unit which prevents an apart state of the first frame memberand the second frame member in the optical axis direction by engagingthe first frame member and the second frame member with each otherbefore the lens barrel is completed. The detachment of the first framemember and the second frame member is prevented by engaging the firstframe member and the second frame member by using the engaging unit.

[0029] According to anther aspect of the present invention, anassembling method of a lens barrel having a first lens, a first framemember holding the first lens, a second lens, a second frame memberholding the second lens, and an engaging unit engaging the first framemember with the second frame member, comprises the steps of: fixing thesecond lens to the second frame member upon assembling the first lens tothe first frame member; attaching, after the assembling, the first framemember and the second frame member to a center adjusting device;center-adjusting, by the center adjusting device, the first lens so asto center-match the first lens to the second lens; and connecting, aftercompleting the center adjustment, the first frame member to the secondframe member by the engaging unit.

[0030] According to another aspect of the present invention, anassembling method of a lens barrel having a first lens, a first framemember holding the first lens, a second lens, a second frame memberholding the second lens, and an engaging unit engaging the first framemember with the second frame member, comprises the steps of: relativelycenter-adjusting the first lens and the second lens; and engaging, afterthe center adjustment, the first frame member with the second framemember by the engaging unit.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present invention, in anelectronic device having a ring shaped space, the ring shaped space hasa plurality of printed-circuit boards which are arranged by combiningcrossed planes thereof.

[0032] With the above-mentioned structure, the planes of the pluralityof printed-circuit boards are crossed and combined and, thus, the ringshaped space is effectively used and the areas of the planes of theprinted-circuit boards are increased. Therefore, the size is reduced andthe mounting areas of the printed-circuit boards are enlarged.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present invention, in anelectronic device, a plurality of printed-circuit boards are combinedand are arranged to have normal vectors which are non-orthogonal to thecentral axis of the ring shaped space.

[0034] With the above-mentioned structure, the planes of the pluralityof printed-circuit boards are crossed and the normals of the planes arecombined and are arranged to be non-orthogonal to the central axis. Thering shaped space is effectively used and the areas of the planes of theprinted-circuit boards are increased. Therefore, the size is reduced andthe mounting areas of the printed-circuit boards are enlarged.

[0035] According to another aspect of the present invention, anelectronic device having a ring shaped space, comprises aprinted-circuit board which is arranged so that a normal of a planethereof in the ring shaped space is non-orthogonal to the central axisof the ring shaped space.

[0036] With the above-mentioned structure, the normal of the plane ofthe printed-circuit board is non-orthogonal to the central axis. Thering shaped space is effectively used and the area of the plane of theprinted-circuit board is increased. Therefore, the size is reduced andthe mounting areas of the printed-circuit boards are enlarged.

[0037] According to another aspect of the present invention, a barreldevice comprises a frame member comprising a cam groove having a bottomportion with a predetermined width comprising a pair of first inclinedplanes facing each other and having inclinations to increase widthsthereof toward a peripheral surface from the bottom portion, and asecond inclined plane continuously formed from one of the pair of firstinclined planes, having an inclination in an inner direction of thewidth.

[0038] With the above-mentioned structure, a taper surface of the camfollower substantially conically and trapezoidally shaped is slidablytouched and is moved to the first inclined planes of a cam groove in theframe member. Unnecessary external force is applied to the cam follower,then, a large diameter portion of the cam follower is restricted by thesecond inclined plane, and the drop-off of the cam follower isprevented. The drop-off of the cam follower due to the unnecessaryexternal force is effectively prevented.

[0039] According to another aspect of the present invention, a barreldevice comprises: a first frame member comprising a cam groove having abottom portion with a predetermined width, comprising a pair of firstinclined planes facing each other and having inclinations to increasewidths thereof toward a peripheral surface from the bottom portion, anda second inclined plane continuously formed from one of the pair offirst inclined planes, having an inclination in an inner direction ofthe width; and a second frame member comprising a cam followercomprising a taper which has the maximum diameter in the cam groove andwhich is engaged with and is slidably touched to the first inclinedplanes.

[0040] With the above-mentioned structure, the taper surface of the camfollower of the second frame member is slidably touched and is moved tothe first inclined planes of the cam groove of the first frame memberand, then, the first frame member and the second frame member arerelatively moved. Unnecessary external force is applied to the camfollower, then, a large diameter portion of the cam follower isrestricted by the second inclined plane, and the drop-off of the camfollower is prevented. The drop-off of the cam follower due to theunnecessary external force is effectively prevented.

[0041] According to another aspect of the present invention, a barreldevice comprises a frame member comprising a cam groove having a bottomportion with a predetermined width comprising a pair of first inclinedplanes facing each other and having inclinations to increase widthsthereof toward a peripheral surface from the bottom portion, and asecond inclined plane continuously formed from one of the pair of firstinclined planes having an inclination different from the inclination ofthe first inclined plane.

[0042] With the above-mentioned structure, a taper surface of the camfollower substantially conically and trapezoidally shaped is slidablytouched and is moved to the first inclined planes of a cam groove in theframe member. Unnecessary external force is applied to the cam follower,then, a large diameter portion of the cam follower is restricted by thesecond inclined plane, and the drop-off of the cam follower isprevented. The drop-off of the cam follower due to the unnecessaryexternal force is effectively prevented.

[0043] These features and advantages of the present invention willbecome further apparent from the following detailed explanation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044]FIG. 1 is an externally perspective view showing a cameraaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0045]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an exterior portionaround, particularly, a lens barrel unit of the camera shown in FIG. 1;

[0046]FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view around the lensbarrel unit of the camera shown in FIG. 1;

[0047]FIG. 4 is a horizontally cross-sectional view around the lensbarrel unit of the camera shown in FIG. 1;

[0048]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing two lens-groupframes incorporated in a lens barrel according to a second embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0049]FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view when thetwo-lens-group frames shown in FIG. 5 are engaged with each other;

[0050]FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view when the twolens-group frames shown in FIG. 5 incorporated in the lens barrel areset apart from each other therein;

[0051]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an engaging state of twolens-group frames incorporated in a lens barrel according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention;

[0052]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an apart state of the twolens-group frames incorporated in the lens barrel shown in FIG. 8;

[0053]FIG. 10 is a longitudinally cross-sectional view showing a statein which the two engaged lens-group frames shown in FIG. 8 are attachedto a lens center adjusting device;

[0054]FIG. 11 is a longitudinally cross-sectional view showing a statein which the two lens-group frames shown in FIG. 8 are incorporated inthe lens barrel;

[0055]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a main portion of acamera according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0056]FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which aspace shown in FIG. 12 is apart from printed-circuit boards;

[0057]FIG. 14 is an arrangement diagram showing a state in which theprinted-circuit boards shown in FIG. 12 are assembled in the space;

[0058]FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which theprinted-circuit boards shown in FIG. 12 are hexagonally combined;

[0059]FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing theprinted-circuit boards shown in FIG. 15;

[0060]FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view according to a fifth embodimentof the present invention;

[0061]FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing printed-circuit boards shownin FIG. 17;

[0062]FIG. 19 is a diagram in an X-arrow direction shown in FIG. 18;

[0063]FIG. 20 is a diagram showing in a V-arrow direction shown in FIG.18;

[0064]FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a developed state of theprinted-circuit boards shown in FIG. 18;

[0065]FIG. 22 is a perspective view according to a sixth embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0066]FIG. 23 is an exploded view showing two printed-circuit boardsshown in FIG. 22;

[0067]FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of abarrel device according to a seventh embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0068]FIG. 25 is a front view showing a state in which a first and asecond frame members shown in FIG. 24 are assembled to be moved linearlyin the optical axis direction;

[0069]FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing one of a plurality of slidemolds of the first frame member shown in FIG. 24;

[0070]FIG. 27 is a plan view showing the first frame member shown inFIG. 24 in a pulling-out direction of the slide mold;

[0071]FIG. 28A is a cross-sectional view showing a relationship betweena cam follower and a cam groove in a state in which the cam follower islocated at the position on a I-I cross-section passing through theoptical axis shown in FIG. 25;

[0072]FIG. 28B is a cross-sectional view showing a relationship betweenthe cam follower and the cam groove in a state in which the cam followeris located at the position on a II-II cross-section passing through theoptical axis shown in FIG. 25;

[0073]FIG. 28C is a cross-sectional view showing a relationship betweenthe cam follower and the cam groove in a state in which the cam followeris located at the position on a III-III cross-section passing throughthe optical axis shown in FIG. 25;

[0074]FIG. 29A is a cross-sectional view of the cam follower and the camgroove on the cross section vertical to the center line of the camgroove, passing through the center line of the cam follower, when thecam follower is located at the position on the cross section shown inFIG. 28A;

[0075]FIG. 29B is a cross-sectional view of the cam follower and the camgroove on the cross section vertical to the center line of the camgroove, passing through the center line of the cam follower, when thecam follower is located at the position on the cross section shown inFIG. 28B;

[0076]FIG. 29C is a cross-sectional view of the cam follower and the camgroove on the cross section vertical to the center line of the camgroove, passing through the center line of the cam follower, when thecam follower is located at the position on cross section shown in FIG.28C;

[0077]FIG. 30 is a front view showing a state in which a part of abarrel device is cut out according to an eighth embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0078]FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing slide molds of a first framemember shown in FIG. 30;

[0079]FIG. 32 is a plan view showing a closed state of the slide moldsshown in FIG. 31 in the front direction;

[0080]FIG. 33 is a plan view showing an opened state of the slide moldsshown in FIG. 32 in the front direction;

[0081]FIG. 34 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the first framemember shown in FIG. 30 in a pulling-out direction of a large slide-moldin the slide mold;

[0082]FIG. 35 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the first framemember shown in FIG. 30 in a pulling-out direction of a small slide-moldin the slide mold;

[0083]FIG. 36A is a cross-sectional view showing a relationship betweena cam follower and a cam groove in a state in which the cam follower islocated at the position on a IV-IV cross-section passing through theoptical axis shown in FIG. 30;

[0084]FIG. 36B is a cross-sectional view showing a relationship betweenthe cam follower and the cam groove in a state in which the cam followeris located at the position on a V-V cross-section passing through theoptical axis shown in FIG. 30;

[0085]FIG. 36C is a cross-sectional view showing a relationship betweenthe cam follower and the cam groove in a state in which the cam followeris located at the position on a VI-VI cross-section passing through theoptical axis shown in FIG. 30;

[0086]FIG. 36D is a cross-sectional view showing a relationship betweenthe cam follower and the cam groove in a state in which the cam followeris located at the position on a VII-VII cross-section passing throughthe optical axis shown in FIG. 30;

[0087]FIG. 36E is a cross-sectional view showing a relationship betweenthe cam follower and the cam groove in a state in which the cam followeris located at the position on a VIII-VIII cross-section passing throughthe optical axis shown in FIG. 30;

[0088]FIG. 37A is a cross-sectional view showing the cam follower andthe cam groove on a cross section vertical to the center line of the camgroove, passing through the center line of the cam follower at theposition on the cross section shown in FIG. 36A;

[0089]FIG. 37B is a cross-sectional view showing the cam follower andthe cam groove on a cross section vertical to the center line of the camgroove, passing through the center line of the cam follower at theposition on the cross section shown in FIG. 36B;

[0090]FIG. 37C is a cross-sectional view showing the cam followerand-the cam groove on a cross section vertical to the center line of thecam groove, passing through the center line of the cam follower at theposition on the cross section shown in FIG. 36C;

[0091]FIG. 37D is a cross-sectional view showing the cam follower andthe cam groove on a cross section vertical to the center line of the camgroove, passing through the center line of the cam follower at theposition on the cross section shown in FIG. 36D;

[0092]FIG. 37E is a cross-sectional view showing the cam follower andthe cam groove on a cross section vertical to the center line of the camgroove, passing through the center line of the cam follower at theposition on the cross section shown in FIG. 36E;

[0093]FIG. 38A is a front view showing the mounting structure ofconventional printed-circuit boards; and

[0094]FIG. 38B is a partial developing diagram of the conventionalprinted-circuit boards shown in FIG. 38A.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0095] Hereinbelow, a description is given of embodiments of the presentinvention with reference to the drawings.

[0096]FIG. 1 is a an externally perspective view showing a cameraaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is anexploded perspective view showing an exterior portion around a lensbarrel unit of the camera. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional viewaround the lens barrel unit of the camera. FIG. 4 is a horizontallycross-sectional view around the lens barrel unit of the camera. In thefollowing description, a subject side of the camera is in front and animage forming side is in the back.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 1, an exterior portion of the camera accordingto the first embodiment comprises: a front cover 1 and a rear cover 2,as members for covering a camera main body unit 11 (refer to FIG. 3) andas second members (second cylindrical members); an exterior cylindricalmember 22 made of metal as a third member (first cylindrical member);and a stop-portion cover 23 as a cover member.

[0098] The front cover 1 comprises: a release button 3; a pop-up strobelight emitting portion 6; and a power switch button 3, at the topthereof. Further, an exterior cylindrical member 22 and a stop-portioncover 23 are attached to the front portion of the front cover 1.

[0099] The rear cover 2 comprises a zoom lever 5. The front cover 1 andthe rear cover 23 are abutted onto and are assembled to the camera mainbody unit 11 backward and forward.

[0100] An inner-peripheral portion of the exterior cylindrical member 22is inserted into and is fixed to a front cover cylindrical member 21 asa first member (second cylindrical member). An outer-peripheral portionof a lens barrel unit 13 (refer to FIG. 3) for holding a photographinglens 14, as will be described later, is inserted to the front covercylindrical member 21.

[0101] Next, a description is given of the structure of the exteriorportion in front of the camera which covers the lens barrel unit withreference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0102] The exterior portion in front of the camera comprises: the frontcover 1 made of a resin material; the front cover cylindrical member 21made of the resin member; an exterior cylindrical member 22 made of ametal-sheet press-molding member; and the stop-portion cover 23 as acover member made of the resin material.

[0103] The front cover 1 is a substantially box-shaped exterior memberand has, in the center, a projected circular portion 1 a which isprojected forward. A front-projected portion 1 g at the top center has astrobe accommodating portion 1 d for accommodating the strobe lightemitting portion 6. A claw portion 1 b, as a stop portion which iselastically modified in the right and left directions, is arranged tothe projected circular portion 1 a.

[0104] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the front cover cylindrical member 21comprises: a flange portion 21 d, as a flange-shaped connecting portionhaving a screw inserting hole 21 e at a rear end portion of thecylindrical portion and as a straight cylindrical-shaped frame member;and a screw hole 21 f at the top of the cylindrical portion. The frontcover cylindrical member 21 is fixed to the front cover 1 by a screw ina state in which it is inserted in the projected circular portion 1 a ofthe front cover 1. That is, the screw 31 is screwed into a screw hole 1e of the front cover 1 by insertion into a screw inserting hole 21 e ofthe flange portion 21 d, and the screw 32 is screwed into a screw hole21 f of the front cover cylindrical member 21 by insertion into a screwinserting hole 1f of the front cover 1. Thus, the front covercylindrical member 21 is tightened, is connected, and is fixed to thefront cover 1. In the fixing state, the front portion of the front covercylindrical member 21 is projected and attached in a further frontdirection than the projected circular portion 1 a of the front cover 1.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 3, an outer-peripheral fixing frame of the lensbarrel unit 13 fixed to the camera main body unit 11 through a main bodyplate 12 is inserted into the inner-peripheral portion 21 a of the frontcover cylindrical member 21 fixed to the front cover 1.

[0106] The exterior cylindrical member 22 as the straightcylindrical-shaped exterior member made of metal comprises: an innerflange portion 22 c at its edge portion; a notch portion 22 g forescaping the front-projected portion 1 g of the front cover 1 on itsrear side; a notch 22 h for escaping the periphery of the screw hole 1 cof the projected circular portion 1 a; two stopped hole portions 22 bwhich are stopped to the claw portion 1 b of the front cover 1 at theright and left positions on the rear side; and a projected displayportion 22 d which is embossed at a position on the side surface.

[0107] The projected display portion 22 d displays a model number of thecamera, a type number, a focal distance, an F number, and the like, andis subjected to embossing toward the outside and thereafter the surfacethereof is subjected to mirror processing by using a diamond cutter.

[0108] The exterior cylindrical member 22 is inserted into anouter-peripheral surface 21 c of the front-projected portion in thefront cover cylindrical member 21 fixed to the front cover 1, and anoptical axis 0 direction and a rotating direction are positioned bystopping the claw 1 b to the stopped hole 22 b to hold the exteriorcylindrical member 22. Further, the exterior cylindrical member 22 isfinally touched to the outer-peripheral surface 21 c of the front covercylindrical member 21 so as to set a fixing state.

[0109] The stop-portion cover 23 is a C-shaped flexible (elasticallymodified) member having a notch portion upstream. The stop-portion cover23 fits to the outer periphery of the projected circular portion 1 a ofthe front cover 1 so that it covers the periphery of the claw portion 1b as an engaging portion with the exterior cylindrical member 22 of thefront cover 1 and the notch portion is widened. After fitting, a platescrew 33 is inserted into the screw inserting hole 23 a of thestop-portion cover 23 and is screwed to the screw hole 1 c of the frontcover 1, and the stop-portion cover 23 is fixed to the front cover 1.

[0110] In the camera with the above structure according to the firstembodiment, the front cover cylindrical member 21 projected and arrangedforward is assembled to the front cover 1 of the camera, and the frontcover cylindrical member 21 accommodates the lens barrel unit 13.Further, other camera members are incorporated in the front covercylindrical member 21, thus completely assembling the camera. In thecamera assembling state, the exterior cylindrical member 22 is insertedinto the front-projected portion of the front cover cylindrical member21 from the front side, and is stopped by the claw portion 1 a so as toset the attaching state. Furthermore, the stop-portion cover 23 fits andattaches to the periphery of the stop portion of the exteriorcylindrical member 22. In the attaching state, the front-projectedportion of the front cover cylindrical member 21 is covered with theexterior cylindrical member 22 and the stop portion of the exteriorcylindrical member 22 is covered with the stop-portion cover 23.

[0111] In the above camera according to the first embodiment, the frontcover cylindrical member 21 may have a parting line on its surfacebecause it is hidden therein, and it can be straight cylindrical-shapedby using side-division molding. Further, the exterior cylindrical member22 is extremely easily formed as a straight cylindrical member and therestriction on the external design is reduced because it is made of acircular press-processing product made of metal. The stop-portion cover23 is attached by making the stop-portion cover 23 flexible andtherefore the shape of the stop-portion cover 23 is simple and theassembling operation is easy.

[0112] Since the exterior cylindrical member 22 is attached in a finalassembling state after the members of the camera are incorporated.Therefore, the exterior cylindrical member 22 having the projecteddisplay portion 22 d corresponding to the camera type or specificationis selected and attached. Thus, a plurality of the exterior cylindricalmembers 22 having the corresponding projected display portions may beprovided upon manufacturing many models and the inventory management issimplified.

[0113] Further, in a state before adhering the exterior cylindricalmember 22, the screw is removed and the stop-portion cover 23 isdetached. Then, the exterior cylindrical member 22 is easily exchanged.In addition, the maintenance and exchange after the completion ofmanufacturing the camera are easily performed by using any exfoliativeadhesive or by fixing only the claw portion and the screw portionwithout any adhesive.

[0114] The front cover cylindrical member 21 can integrally be moldedwith the front cover 1. In this case, the integral portion of the frontcover cylindrical member with the front cover 1 is covered with theexterior cylindrical member 22 and therefore if a parting line formolding exists on the surface, there is no problem. The integral portioncan be straight and cylindrically shaped. The number of parts and thenumber of assembling processing are reduced.

[0115] As mentioned above, according to the first embodiment, theexterior portion for covering the lens barrel portion in the camera hasthe reduced number of restriction on design and the exterior portion ofthe camera can be made of metal. Further, it is possible to provide thecamera in which the number of restrictions on design is reduced and theassembling is simplified by applying the cover member for covering thestop portion of the cylindrical member as an exterior metal member.

[0116] Next, a description is given of a lens barrel according to asecond embodiment of the present invention.

[0117]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing two lens-groupframes incorporated in the lens barrel according to the secondembodiment. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view when the twolens-group frames are engaged with each other. FIG. 7 is a longitudinalcross-sectional view when the two lens-group frames incorporated in thelens barrel are set apart from each other.

[0118] The lens barrel according to the second embodiment comprises fourgroups of lenses. Referring to FIG. 5, the lens barrel includes athird-group frame 41 as a first frame member which advances and returnsupon zooming, a fourth-group frame 42 as a second frame member, and afirst-group frame and a second-group frame (not shown).

[0119] The third-group frame 41 has a guide shaft hole 41 a at thebottom of the frame, two cam followers 46 and 47 fixed at the top of theframe, and an engaging piece 41 b having a claw engaging hole 41 c asengaging means projected to the outer-peripheral portion in the back ofthe frame. A guide shaft 50 in parallel with the optical axis 0 isinserted, is adhered, and is fixed to the guide shaft hole 41 a. Theengaging piece 41 b is made of a thin plate and is flexible and iselastically modified above and below.

[0120] Third-group lenses 43 as first lenses are inserted in, areadhered to, and are fixed to an inner-peripheral portion of the frame ofthe third-group frame 41.

[0121] The fourth-group frame 42 has a sleeve hole 42 b at the bottom ofthe frame. Further, cam followers 48 and 49 are fixed to the top and thebottom of the frame and a claw 42 c as engaging means is arranged to afront portion of the outer periphery of the frame. A sleeve 51 isinserted with play in the sleeve hole 42 b in an engaging state, ispositioned while it is inserted, is adhered, and is fixed to the guideshaft 50. The claw 42 c is inserted into a claw engaging hole 41 c ofthe third-group frame 41, and has an inclined plane for pressing up theclaw engaging piece 41 b of the third-group frame 41 upon insertion atthe front portion thereof.

[0122] Fourth-group lenses 44 as second lenses having a fourth-groupfront lens 44 a and a fourth-group rear lens 44 b are fixed to theinner-peripheral portion of the fourth-group frame 42. The fourth-groupfront lens 44 a is inserted, is adhered, and is fixed without positionadjustment. However, the fourth-group rear lens 44 b is inserted withplay in a lens inserting portion 42 a, is positioned with lens centeradjustment using the lens center adjusting device, as will be describedlater, is adhered, and is fixed.

[0123] Further, the fourth-group rear lens 44 b may be inserted, beadhered, and be fixed without the position adjustment similarly to thefourth-group front lens 44 a, relational positions of the sleeve 51 andthe fourth-group frame 42 may be positioned with the position adjustmentusing the lens center adjusting device, be adhered, and be fixed. Inthis case, the claw engaging hole 41 c and the claw 42 c have playcorresponding to the adjustment.

[0124] Upon the lens center adjustment of the third-group frame 41 andthe fourth-group frame 42, the third-group frame 41 to which thethird-group lenses 43 are fixed and the fourth-group frame 42 to whichthe fourth-group front lens 44 a is fixed are attached to a laser lenscenter adjusting device. The guide shaft 50 is fit into the sleeve 51and the third-group frame 41 and the fourth-group frame 42 are held in arelatively positioned state. The fourth-group rear lens 44 b is insertedwith play in the lens inserting portion 42 a of the fourth-group frame42.

[0125] Then, the position is adjusted by deviating the position of thefourth-group rear lens 44 b so as to reduce the eccentricity of thespots between the third-group lens 43 and the fourth-group lens 44 whileobserving the spots of the laser beams. That is, the relational positionbetween the first lenses and the second lenses is adjusted. In theadjusting state, the fourth-group rear lens 45 is adhered and is fixedto the lens inserting portion 42 a. The lens center adjustment may beperformed by deviating not the fourth-group lens 44 but the third-grouplens 43.

[0126] Referring to FIG. 6, in the third-group frame 41 and thefourth-group frame 42 having the adjusted lens center, the front portionof the frame faces the rear portion, and the claw 42 c of thefourth-group frame 42 is inserted in the claw engaging hole 41 c of theengaging piece 41 b of the third-group frame 41 so as to set theengaging state. At that time, the guide shaft 50 is further inserted inthe sleeve 51. The third-group frame 41 and the fourth-group frame 42 inthe engaging state are adjacently held so as to prevent easy detachment,as compared with the apart state of the frames upon assembling the lensbarrel (completing the manufacturing) as shown in FIG. 7.

[0127] The lens center adjustment may be performed in the adjacentlyholding state having a shorter distance between the lens frames, ascompared with the apart state having the distance therebetween uponassembling the lens barrel as shown in FIG. 7.

[0128] The third-group frame 41 and the fourth-group frame 42 hold thestate of engagement with each other during the conveying or housingoperation until the frames are assembled in the lens barrel. Uponassembling the frames in the lens barrel, the engaging piece 41 b iscaught up and the claw 42 c is detached from the claw engaging hole 41c. In views of the apart positional relationship between the third-groupframe 41 and the fourth-group frame 42, the distance therebetween duringusing the lens barrel as the photographing lens or the shortest apartdistance at the lens collapsed position is longer as compared with thatin the engaging state.

[0129] With the lens barrel according to the second embodiment, the bluron the circumference is suppressed and the MTF performance having thetelecentricity as center is improved because the lens centers areadjusted between the third-group lenses 43 and the fourth-group lenses44. The combining state of the frame after the lens center adjustment iscertainly held by the engaging state during the assembling and thereforeno combining mistake is caused.

[0130] During assembling the third-group frame 41 and the fourth-groupframe 42 in the lens barrel after the lens center adjustment, thethird-group frame 41 and the fourth-group frame 42 are integrally heldin a state in which the claw 42 c is engaged with the claw engaging hole41 c so as to reduce a frame sharing space in the optical axis 0direction as much as possible. Thus, during the conveying and housingoperation upon assembling, the third-group frame 41 and the fourth-groupframe 42 do not become the obstacle, and the management duringassembling is easy without paying attention to the combination of theframe members.

[0131] Next, a description is given of a lens barrel according to athird embodiment of the present invention.

[0132]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an engaging state of twolens-group frames incorporated in a lens barrel according to the thirdembodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an apart state of thetwo lens-group frames incorporated in the lens barrel. FIG. 10 is alongitudinally cross-sectional view showing a state in which the twoengaged lens-group frames are attached to a lens center adjustingdevice. FIG. 11 is a longitudinally cross-sectional view showing a statein which the two lens-group frames are incorporated in the lens barrel.

[0133] Referring to FIG. 8, the lens barrel according to the thirdembodiment comprises four groups of lenses, and incorporates, as aphotographing optical system, a third-group frame 61 as a first framemember which can advance and return, a fourth-group frame 62 as a secondframe member, and a first-group frame and a second-group frame (notshown).

[0134] The third-group frame 61 has a cave taper surface 61 c at an endsurface portion in the back thereof and further includes two engagingpieces 61 a having facing projections 61 b as engaging means projectedin the back of the outer-peripheral portion thereof. The engaging pieces61 a can elastically be modified in the right and left direction.Although not shown, a cam follower for advance and return is arranged tothe outer-peripheral portion of the third-group frame 61.

[0135] A third-group lens 63 is inserted, is adhered, and is fixed tothe inner-peripheral portion of the third-group frame 61.

[0136] The fourth-group frame 62 has a projected taper surface 62 c anda projected taper surface 62 d at an end surface portion in frontthereof and at an end surface portion in the back thereof, respectively,and further includes a pin 62 a as engaging means projected to the topof the outer periphery thereof. Although not shown, the outer-peripheralportion of the fourth-group frame 62 has a cam follower for advance andreturn. The projected taper surface 62 c can be jointed to the cavetaper surface 61 c of the third-group frame 61, and the projected tapersurface 62 d can be jointed to a cave taper surface 65 d of a framesupporting portion 65 in the lens center adjusting device. The pin 62 acan be sandwiched in the projections 61 b of the engaging pieces 61 a inthe third-group frame 61. The cave taper surface 61 c, the projectedtaper surfaces 62 c and 62 d, and the cave taper surface 65 d are formedalong a conical plane with the optical axis 0 as the center.

[0137] A fourth-group lens 64 is inserted with play in a frameinner-peripheral portion 62 b of the fourth-group frame 62, ispositioned, is adhered, and is fixed by lens center adjustment using thelens center adjusting device, which will be described later.

[0138] In the lens center adjustment of the third-group frame 61 and thefourth-group frame 62, the third-group frame 61 to which the three-grouplens 63 is fixed and the fourth-group frame 62 in which the four-grouplens 64 is inserted with play are attached to a laser lens centeradjusting device. Referring to FIG. 10, the cave taper portion 61 c isjointed to the projected taper portion 62 c to position the third-groupframe 61 and the fourth-group frame 62. Further, the cave taper surface65 d of the frame supporting portion 65 in the lens center adjustingdevice is jointed to the projected taper portion 62 d of thefourth-group lens frame 62 to position the fourth-group lens frame 62 tothe lens center adjusting device. In the jointing state, the pin 62 a ofthe fourth-group frame 62 is sandwiched in the projections 61 b of theengaging pieces 61 a in the third-group frame 61.

[0139] Then, the lens centers are adjusted by deviating the position ofthe fourth-group lens 64 so as to prevent the eccentricity in spotsbetween the third-group lens 63 and the fourth-group lens 64 whileobserving the spots of laser beams. In the adjusting state, thefourth-group lens 64 is adhered and is fixed to the lens insertingportion 62 b. The lens centers may be adjusted by deviating not thefourth-group lens 64 but the third-group lens 63.

[0140] The third-group frame 61 and the fourth-group frame 62 are heldin the state in which the pin 62 a is engaged with the projections 61 bof the engaging pieces 61 a as shown in FIG. 8 during the conveying orhousing operation until the frames are assembled in the lens barrel. Inviews of the apart positional relationship between the third-group frame61 and the fourth-group frame 62, the distance therebetween in theengaging state is shorter, that is, the frames are adjacently held, ascompared with that in the state for assembling the lens barrel (statefor completing the manufacturing) as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, and theframes are not easily detached as long as the detaching operation is notperformed.

[0141] When the third-group frame 61 and the fourth-group frame 62 areassembled in the lens barrel, the engagement between the pin 62 a andthe projections 61 b of the engaging pieces 61 a is reset. Further, thethird-group frame 61 and the fourth-group frame 62 are inserted in theinner periphery of the holding frame 60 of the lens barrel.

[0142] With the lens barrel according to the third embodiment, the bluron the circumference is suppressed and the MTF performance having thetelecentricity as center is improved because the lens centers areadjusted between the third-group lens 63 and the fourth-group lens 64,similarly to the lens barrel according to the second embodiment. Thecombining state of the frames after the lens center adjustment iscertainly held by the engaging state during the assembling and thereforeno combining mistake is caused.

[0143] During assembling the third-group frame 61 and the fourth-groupframe 62 in the lens barrel after the lens center adjustment in progressof assembling the lens barrel, the third-group frame 61 and thefourth-group frame 62 are integrally held in a state in which the pin 62a is engaged with the projections 61 b of the engaging pieces 61 a so asto reduce a frame sharing space in the optical axis 0 direction as muchas possible. Thus, during the conveying and housing operation uponassembling, the third-group frame 61 and the fourth-group frame 62 donot become the obstacle, and the management during assembling is easywithout paying attention to the combination of the frame members.

[0144] As mentioned above, according to the third embodiment, afteradjusting the two frame members incorporated in the lens barrel, themanagement during assembling is easy without paying attention to thecombination of the frame members.

[0145] Next, a description is given of a lens barrel in a cameraaccording to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0146]FIG. 12 shows the lens barrel in the camera according to thefourth embodiment. A moving optical system 71 is attached to acylindrical outer-casing 70 as a fixing casing via a lens drivingmechanism portion 72 to freely adjust the movement thereof in theoptical axis direction (central axis direction). An optical systemholding casing 74 in which a fixing optical system 73 is inserted withplay in the outer casing 70, and the optical system holding casing 74 isscrewed and is attached by using a screw 75. In this case, the opticalaxes of the fixing optical system 73 and the moving optical system 71are adjusted.

[0147] A mounting member 78 is screwed to an end portion on a cameramain body of the outer casing 70 by using a screw 77. A shieldingportion 78 a and a mounting portion 78 b are arranged to the mountingmember 78, the shielding portion 78 a shields a ring shaped(doughnut-shaped) space 79 between the outer casing 70 and the opticalsystem holding casing 74, and the mounting portion 78 b is attached to alens inserting portion (body mounting member) (not shown) of the cameramain body so as to attach the lens barrel to the camera main body.

[0148] Referring to FIG. 13, the space 79 between the outer casing 70and the optical system holding casing 74 is ring shaped to round theoptical axis of the lens barrel. A plurality of, e.g., six rigidprinted-circuit boards 201 to 206 forming a lens control portion, etc.are hexagonally attached and accommodated in the space 79 by crossingplanes (mounting areas) thereof and surrounding the fixing opticalsystem 73. In other words, referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the sixprinted-circuit boards 201 to 206 are accommodated in the space 79 bycrossing the adjacent printed-circuit boards so that an end portion ofone printed-circuit board is projected from the plane of anotherprinted-circuit board and by polygonally assembling the boards.

[0149] Referring to FIG. 16, two rectangular notch portions 2.11 to tworectangular notch portions 216 are arranged to one side of theprinted-circuit boards 201 to 206 at a predetermined interval. Theprinted-circuit boards 201 to 206 are hexagonally attached byincorporating the notch portions 211 to 216. Specifically, the two notchportions 211 are fit into one of the two notch portions 216 and one ofthe two notch portions 212, respectively, by mutually crossing thereto.The two notch portions 213 are fit into another notch portion 212 andone of the two notch portions 214, respectively, by mutually crossingthereto. Further, the two notch portions 215 are fit into another notchportion 214 and another notch portion 216, respectively, by mutuallycrossing thereto. Consequently, the six printed-circuit boards 201 to206 are hexagonally assembled by crossing the adjacent printed-circuitboards so that the end portion of the one printed-circuit board isprojected from the plane of the other printed-circuit board. The sixprinted-circuit boards 201 to 206 are arranged in the ring shaped space79 in the lens barrel. Here, the six printed-circuit boards 201 to 206have normal vectors on the planes (mounting areas) orthogonal to theoptical axis (central axis).

[0150] The adjacent printed-circuit boards of the six ones 201 to 206have connecting lands 221 to 226 (refer to FIG. 15, incidentally, only apart is shown for the sake of the convenience). Thus, the notch portions211 to 216 in the six printed-circuit boards 201 to 206 are engaged,then the connecting lands 221 to 226 become adjacent, and the sixprinted-circuit boards 201 to 206 are connected by soldering in theadjacent state.

[0151] The connecting lands 221 to 226 arranged to the printed-circuitboards 201 to 206 may be formed to all the boards so as to electricallyconnect all the boards, or the printed-circuit boards may be arrangedelectrically independently.

[0152] Further, an external connector 83 is provided on at least one ofthe six printed-circuit boards 201 to 206. Connecting terminals 84 aarranged to a flexible printed-circuit board 84 connected to an actuatorin the lens driving mechanism portion 72 in the lens barrel (not shown)are connected to the external connector 83, thus electrically connectingthe printed-circuit boards 201 to 206 to the actuator (not shown) of thelens driving mechanism portion 72.

[0153] Referring to FIGS. 13 to 16, reference numeral 85 denotes anelectronic part such as an IC.

[0154] When the six printed-circuit boards 201 to 206 having the crossedend portions are attached to the ring shaped space 79 comprising theouter casing 70 and the optical system holding casing 74, for example,reference symbol L denotes a length of a side on the plane orthogonal tothe optical axis, of the printed-circuit board 206 as one side ofhexagon circumscribed to the outer periphery of the optical systemholding casing 74 (refer to FIG. 14). When comparing the length L with adimension L1 of a side of each of printed-circuit boards 151 a to 151 fin the mounting structure in which the printed-circuit boards 151 a to151 f are hexagonally attached as disclosed in Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publication No. 7-294790 (refer to FIGS. 38A and38B), the following relationship is established.

[0155] L>L1

[0156] Thus, the plane (mounting area) is set large.

[0157] The six printed-circuit boards 201 to 206 are accommodated byeffectively using a dead space of the space 79 comprising the outercasing 70 and the optical holding casing 74. The plane is increasedwithout making the space 79 larger. Consequently, the degree of freedomon the design is improved upon increasing the mounting area or forming acircuit pattern.

[0158] As mentioned above, the camera is formed by attaching the sixprinted-circuit boards 201 to 206 formed by crossing their planes andhexagonally combining them to the ring shaped space 79 comprising theouter casing 70 and the optical system holding casing 74.

[0159] The printed-circuit boards 201 to 206 are accommodated with theincrease in their planes (mounting areas) as a result of the effectiveuse of the ring shaped space 79 with their crossed planes. Consequently,the space 79 is reduced in size, the mounting areas of theprinted-circuit boards are enlarged, and the degree of freedom on thecircuit design is improved.

[0160] The present invention is not limited to the first to fourthembodiments. The same advantages are obtained according to fifth andsixth embodiments with reference to FIGS. 17 to 21, and FIGS. 22 and 23.However, for the sake of a brief description, the same referencenumerals in FIG. 17 as those in FIG. 12 denote the same components and adetailed description thereof is omitted.

[0161] According to the fifth embodiment, referring to FIGS. 17 to 21, aplurality of, e.g., six printed-circuit boards 301 to 306 aretrapezoidally formed to the space 79 formed between the outer casing 70and the optical system holding casing 74. In this case, the sixprinted-circuit boards 301 to 306 are formed with their bending (arc)bases and are hexagonally and conically combined as shown in FIGS. 18 to20.

[0162] Referring to FIG. 21, in the six printed-circuit boards 301 to306, bases and upper sides thereof match and hypotenuses thereof areoverlapped. Thus, the six printed-circuit boards 301 to 306 areelectrically connected via flexible printed-circuit boards 86. Then,both-end ones of the printed-circuit boards 301 and 306 have a connector87 and a flexible printed-circuit board 88 for connection, and the sixprinted-circuit boards 301 to 306 are molded hexagonally and conically.In this state, the connector 87 and the flexible printed-circuit board88 are connected and assembled.

[0163] An external connector 89 is mounted on the printed-circuit board301. The external connector 89 is connected to the connecting terminals84 a (refer to FIG. 19) arranged to the flexible printed-circuit board84 connected to the lens driving mechanism portion 72.

[0164] With the above-mentioned structure, the six printed-circuitboards 301 to 306 assembled hexagonally and conically are arranged tothe ring shaped space 79 comprising the outer casing 70 and the opticalsystem holding casing 74 at a predetermined inclination angle to theoptical axis. Here, the six printed-circuit boards 301 to 306 havenormal vectors, that is, normals of their planes (mounting areas) whichare non-orthogonal (oblique) to the optical axis (central axis).

[0165] When the six printed-circuit boards 301 to 306 have lengths L′ ofthe sides oblique to the optical axis (refer to FIG. 21) and the lengthL′ is compared with lengths L1′ of the sides oblique to the opticalaxis, of the printed-circuit boards 151 a to 151 f (refer to FIG. 138B)in the mounting structure in which the printed-circuit boards 151 a to151 f are assembled hexagonally as disclosed in Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publication No. 7-294790, the following relationshipis established. That is, since the printed-circuit boards 301 to 306 arearranged with a predetermined inclination angle to the optical axis inthe optical axis direction, even assuming that the dimension of thespace 79 in the optical axis direction is similar to the above case, thefollowing relationship is set.

[0166] L′>L1′

[0167] Thus, the six printed-circuit boards 301 to 306 have their planes(mounting areas) in the oblique direction large by effectively using adead space of the space 79 comprising the outer casing 70 and theoptical holding casing 74. The planes (mounting areas) of theprinted-circuit boards 301 to 306 are increased without making the space79 larger. Consequently, the mounting areas are increased or the degreeof freedom on the design of a circuit pattern is improved.

[0168] Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, in the mounting structure accordingto the sixth embodiment, the end portions of the six printed-circuitboards 301 to 306 according to the fifth embodiment as shown in FIGS. 17to 21 are formed so that their planes are crossed and are combinedhexagonally similarly to the case according to the fourth embodiment asshown in FIGS. 12 to 16. The mounting structure according to the sixthembodiment as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 has the advantages according tothe fourth and fifth embodiments and, thus, further has anotheradvantage.

[0169] Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, for the sake of convenience of adescription, the same components as those in FIGS. 12 to 21 aredesignated by the same reference numerals and a detailed descriptionthereof is omitted.

[0170] That is, six printed-circuit boards 401 to 406 are substantiallytrapezoidally formed. Near both ends of the three printed-circuit boards401, 403, and 405, two elongated and parallelogram notch portions 91obtained by cutting off their bases in the top direction are formed,respectively. The three remaining printed-circuit boards 402, 404, and406 have two elongated and parallelogram notch portions 92 obtained bycutting off the tops thereof in the bottom direction at a predeterminedinterval, respectively. The two notch portions formed on the singleprinted-circuit board are in non-parallel with each other, and the twonotch portions are formed so that they are along hypotenuses oftrapeziums therenear or so that they are slightly in non-parallel withthe hypotenuses.

[0171] The adjacent printed-circuit boards of the six ones 401 to 406have connecting lands 93 and 94. In the six printed-circuit boards 401to 406, the notch portions 91 and 92 are combined, thus, the connectinglands 93 and 94 are adjacent to each other, and they are adjacentlyconnected by soldering.

[0172] With the above structure, the six printed-circuit boards 401 to406 are used for a horn space different from the ring shaped spaceaccording to the fifth embodiment as shown in FIGS. 17 to 21.Consequently, the six printed-circuit boards 401 to 406 are effectivelyused. According to the six embodiment, the area for component mountingon the printed-circuit boards is not necessarily increased, and is usedfor the horn space different from the simply ring shaped space and thedegree of freedom on design is improved.

[0173] According to the fourth to sixth embodiments, the sixprinted-circuit boards 201 to 206, 301 to 306, and 401 to 406 arecombined hexagonally and prismatically, or hexagonally and petrosally.However, the present invention is not limited to this and can becombined polygonally and prismatically, or polygonally and petrosally.

[0174] Further, according to the fourth to sixth embodiments, the rigidprinted-circuit boards are used. However, the present invention is notlimited to the structure using the rigid printed-circuit boards and, forexample, it is possible to use flexible-type flexible boards.

[0175] In addition, according to the fourth to sixth embodiments, thepresent invention is used for the camera. However, it is not limited tothis and is used for an electronic device including various opticaldevices having the ring shaped space. In any case, the same advantagesare obtained.

[0176] As mentioned above, according to the fourth to sixth embodiments,it is possible to provide an electronic device with the small size, inwhich the mounting area of the printed-circuit board is enlarged or thedegree of freedom is improved on the design of the printed-circuitboard.

[0177] Next, a description is given of a barrel device according to theseventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0178]FIG. 24 shows the barrel device according to the seventhembodiment. The first and the second frame members 10 and 11 form a lensbarrel, and can be moved linearly in the directions of arrows A and B(optical axis direction). That is, three cam grooves 12 as a feature ofthe present invention are arranged to an outer-peripheral surface of thefirst frame member 10 equally at an angle of 120° in the circumferentialdirection (refer to FIG. 25). Three conical and trapezoidal camfollowers 13 are pressed into an inner-peripheral surface of the secondframe member 11 equally at an angle of 120° corresponding to the threecam grooves 12. Referring to FIG. 25, the three cam followers 13 of thesecond frame member 11 are inserted in cam grooves 11 of the first framemember 10.

[0179] The cam follower 13 comprises: a shaft portion 13 a for fixing tothe second frame member 11; a step shaft portion (base end portion) 13 bhaving a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft portion13 a coaxial thereto, for arranging a step portion for positioning thesecond frame member of the cam follower 13 in the thrust direction(axial direction); a crucible-formed portion (taper) 13 c which isengaged with and slidably touched to the cam grooves 12 at the edges ofthe cam follower; and a crucible-former portion (taper) 13 e formedtowards the step shaft portion 13 b so as to reduce the diameter from alarge-diameter portion 13 d of the crucible-former portion (taper) 13 c.Thus, the crucible-former portion (taper) 13 e has an inverse taperangle to a taper angle of the crucible-former portion (taper) 13 c. Thecentral axis (center line) of the cam follower 13 is vertical to thebottom (cam bottom) of the cam groove 12.

[0180] With the above structure, the first frame 10 is rotated by adriving mechanism (not shown) and, in accordance with the rotation, thecam follower 13 of the second frame member 11 is slidably guided alongthe cam groove 12 of the first frame member 10. Thus, the second framemember 11 is moved linearly to the first frame member 10 in the opticalaxis direction.

[0181] First, prior to a description of the structure of the first framemember 10 having the cam groove 12 as another feature of the presentinvention, a method for molding the first frame member 10 is described.Referring to FIG. 26, three slide molds 14 for molding the portion atthe angle of 120° with a ring shape are circularly combined and anouter-peripheral surface of the first frame member 10 is molded bymolding (injection molding).

[0182] On the slide molds 14, projected cam portions 15 are arranged toa wall surface 141 which is caved and bent corresponding to theouter-peripheral surface of the first frame member 10, corresponding tothe cam grooves 12. Further, a guide portion and a driving portion (notshown) are arranged to the slide molds 14, respectively. One slide mold14 forms a portion having the angle of 120° to the first frame member 10and the three slide molds 14 mold the entire outer periphery of thefirst frame member 10 in corporation therewith. The one slide mold 14 ismolded in a direction connecting points II-II shown in FIG. 25 and thentwo remaining slide molds 14 are molded in a direction at an interval ofan angle of 120° to the direction II-II.

[0183] Here, a description is given of the structure of the cam grooves12 of the first frame member 10 which is molded by using the three slidemolds 14 as another feature of the present invention.

[0184] On the outer-peripheral surface of the first frame member 10, thethree cam grooves 12 are arranged at the interval of the angle of 120°in the circumferential direction. A bottom portion (cam bottom) 12 awith a predetermined width is formed to have a dimension correspondingto the moving distance of the second frame member 11. The bottom portion12 a has, on both side-walls thereof, first wall surfaces 12 b as a pairof first inclined planes having an inclination to increase the widthtoward the peripheral surface (outer-peripheral surface) from the bottomportion 12 a with which the taper on the crucible-former peripheral wallof the cam follower 13 slidably comes into contact. Further, the openingside of the first wall surfaces 12 b has second wall surfaces 12 c assecond inclined planes substantially continuously parallel with themolding direction. FIG. 27 shows a diagram of the first frame member 10shown in FIG. 24 in the top direction. Referring to FIG. 27, referencenumeral 101 denotes a parting line which is generated by the matching ofthe slide molds 14.

[0185] The bottom portion 12 a and first and second wall surfaces 12 band 12 c in the cam groove 12 of the first frame member 10 are formed bya cam edge surface 15 a and first and second cam surfaces 15 b and 15 cin a projected cam portion 15 arranged to the slide molds 14. It is moreadvantageous in views of a function of the present invention to reducethe angle formed by the second wall surfaces 12 c though the largerangle formed by the second wall surfaces 12 c enables the molds toeasily be pull out. Thus, the second wall surfaces 12 c are set inconsideration of a pulling-out inclination to the directionsubstantially parallel to the mold pulling-out direction. Preferably,the mold pulling-out inclination may be set to have an angle ofsubstantially 1° or more and 10° or less in consideration of thedeparting of the cam follower 13.

[0186] A detailed description is given of the arrangement structure ofthe cam groove 12 of the first frame member 10 and the cam follower 13of the second frame member 11 with reference to FIGS. 28A to 28C andFIGS. 29A to 29C. FIGS. 28A to 28C show cross-sectional views nearplanes including center line of the cam follower 13 and the optical axisshown in FIG. 25. FIGS. 29A to 29C show cross-sectional views verticalto the center line (line of the cam grooves) of the cam groove 12,passing through the center lines of the cam followers 13 at the samepositions as those shown in FIGS. 28A to 28C.

[0187] In other words, FIGS. 28A to 28C show I-I, II-II, and III-IIIcross-sectional views when the cam followers 13 are at thecross-sectional positions of the I-I cross section, II-II cross section,and III-III cross section shown in FIG. 24. FIGS. 29A to 29C showcross-sectional views of cross sections vertical to the center lines(cam lines) of the cam groove 12 passing through the center line of thecam follower 13 when the cam follower 13 is at the position shown inFIGS. 28A to 28C. As will clearly be understood with reference to FIGS.29A to 29C, the first wall surfaces 12 b are set to have substantiallythe same opening angle (taper angle) θ as that of the tapers of the camfollowers 13, and the second wall surfaces 12 c are set to have apredetermined mold pulling-out inclination to the mold pulling-outdirection throughout the entire lengths thereof, substantially inparallel with each other.

[0188] Among the cross sections passing though the center lines of thecam follower 13 shown in FIGS. 29A to 29C, on that shown in FIG. 29B,the mold pulling-out direction of the slide molds 14 matches the centerline of the cam follower 13. As shown in FIG. 29B, both of the secondwall surfaces 12 c have a slightly opening angle with the same moldpulling-out inclination. There is such a change that as the second wallsurfaces 12 c are remoter from the positions thereof shown in FIG. 29B,one of the second wall surfaces 12 c is opened and another is closed. Inthe example, the positions of the second wall surfaces 12 c in FIG. 29Care remoter than those in FIG. 29A from those in FIG. 29B. Thus, thepositions in FIG. 29C largely change as compared with those in FIG. 29B.The one of the second wall surfaces 12 c is at the same position asthose of the first wall surfaces 12 b, and the other is more inner inthe cam grooves 12 than the first wall surfaces 12 b, that is, it isnear the cam follower 13 at an angle φ to the center line of the camfollower 13 on the cross section.

[0189] In other words, at the position in FIG. 29C, the one of thesecond wall surfaces 12 c has a predetermined inclination different fromthose of the first wall surfaces 12 b in the inner direction of thewidth of the cam groove 12 to the base end portion of the cam follower13, and the other second wall surface 12 c has an inclination slightlydifferent from those of the first wall surfaces 12 b in the outerdirection of the width. Thus, the cam follower 13 has a base end portion13 b which is out of the inner-projected portion of the second wallsurface 12 c.

[0190] As mentioned above, in most parts of the cam groove 12 of thefirst frame member 10, the opening angle of the second wall surfaces 12c is set to be smaller than the opening angle of the first wall surfaces12 b. For example, the foregoing portions are shown in FIGS. 28A and 28Band FIGS. 29A and 29B. When unnecessary external force is applied to thelens barrel, the cam follower 13 has a hook between the second wallsurfaces 12 c and the large diameter portion 13 d of the cam follower13. Thus, the cam follower 13 is not detached from the cam groove 12, ascompared with the case in which no second wall surfaces 12 c areprovided. Since only the first wall surfaces 12 b are slidably touchedto the cam follower 13, the opening angle of the second wall surfaces 12c different from that of the first wall surfaces 12 b does not influenceon the normal operation.

[0191] As mentioned above, in the barrel device, the first frame member10 includes the first wall surfaces 12 b slidably touched to the taper13 c of the cam follower 13 and the cam grooves 12 having the secondwall surfaces 12 c continuously substantially in parallel with the moldpulling-out direction on the first wall surfaces 12 b, and the tapers ofthe cam follower 13 in the second frame member 11 are engaged with thecam grooves 12 to be slidably touched thereto, thereby combining thefirst and second frame members 10 and 11 to relatively move them.Consequently, when the unnecessary external force is applied, the secondwall surfaces 12 c of the cam groove 12 regulate the large diameterportion 13 d of the cam follower 13 and the detaching from the camgrooves 12 is prevented. In particular, as the cam followers 13 are moreadjacent to the end portions of the cam grooves 12, the hook portion ofthe second wall surfaces 12 c is increased as an under-cut portion tothe large diameter portion 13 d in the center line of the cam follower13, advantageously, the detaching of the cam follower 13 is prevented.

[0192] Next, a description is given of a barrel device according to theeighth embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 30 to37E.

[0193] The present invention is not limited to the seventh embodiment.For example, referring to FIGS. 30 to 37E, a cam groove 121 is arrangedonto an inner-peripheral surface of a first frame member 120, a camfollower 123 is arranged onto an outer-peripheral surface of a secondframe member 122, and the first frame member 120 and the second framemember 122 are relatively moved in the barrel device according to theeighth embodiment. In this case, according to the eighth embodiment, thesame advantages as those according to the seventh embodiment areobtained.

[0194]FIG. 30 shows a cut-off part of the barrel device in the opticaldirection. FIG. 31 shows a perspective view showing slide molds 124 usedfor molding the first frame member 120. FIG. 32 shows a closed state ofthe slide molds 124 in the optical axis direction, that is, a state forinjection-molding a molded part (product). FIG. 33 shows an opened stateof the slide molds 124 in the optical direction, that is, a state in theinjection molding of the molded part (product) is completed and themolded part is pulled out from the molds. FIG. 34 shows a state in whichthe first frame member 120 is viewed from the mold pulling-out directionof a large slide mold 125 of the slide mold 124. FIG. 35 shows a statein which the first frame member 120 is viewed in the molding pulling-outdirection of a small mold 126 of the slide mold 124. FIGS. 36A to 36Eshow planes including the optical axis and show cross sections of thecam groove 121 and the cam follower 123 in a state in which the camfollower is positioned on IV-IV to VIII-VIII cross sections differentfrom those of planes rotated around the optical axis. FIGS. 37A to 37Eshow cross sections on planes vertical to the cam groove 121 at thepositions of the cam follower 123 shown in FIGS. 36A to 36E.

[0195] That is, the three cam grooves 121 as another feature of thepresent invention are arranged onto an inner-peripheral surface of thefirst frame member 120 equally at an angle of 120° in thecircumferential direction (refer to FIG. 30). The three conical andtrapezoidal cam followers 123 with the same shape as that of the camfollowers 113 are pressed and arranged onto an outer-peripheral surfaceof the second frame member 122 equally at an angle of 120° correspondingto the three cam grooves 121. The three cam followers 123 of the secondframe member 122 are inserted in and engaged with the cam grooves 121 ofthe first frame member 120. Thus, the first frame 120 is rotated by adriving mechanism (not shown) and, in accordance with the rotation, thecam follower 123 of the second frame member 122 is slidably guided alongthe cam grooves 121 of the first frame member 120 and is moved linearlyin the optical axis direction.

[0196] The cam follower 123 comprises: a shaft portion 123 a for fixingto the second frame member 122; a step shaft portion (base end portion)123 b having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the shaftportion 123 a, for arranging a step portion for positioning the secondframe member 122 of the cam follower 123 in the thrust direction (shaftdirection); a crucible-former portion (taper) 123 c which is engagedwith and is slidably touched to the cam grooves 123 at the edges of thecam follower; and a crucible-former portion (taper) 123 e formed towardthe shaft portion 123 a so as to reduce the diameter from alarge-diameter portion 123 d of the crucible-former portion (taper) 123c. Thus, the crucible-former portion (taper) 123 e has an inverse taperangle to a taper angle of the crucible-former portion (taper) 123 c. Thecentral axis (center line) of the cam follower 123 is vertical to thebottom portion (cam bottom) of the cam groove 121.

[0197] First, prior to a description of the structure of the first framemember 120 having the cam groove 121 as a feature of the eighthembodiment of the present invention, a method for molding the firstframe member 120 is described. Three sets of slide molds 124 arecircularly combined on the outer periphery at the angle of 120° and,thus, an inner-peripheral surface of the first frame member 120including the three cam grooves 121 is molded (by injection molding) asthe feature of the eighth embodiment.

[0198] Referring to FIGS. 31 to 33, the slide molds 124 comprise threelarge slide molds 125 and three small slide molds 126. Projected-bendingwall surfaces 125 a and 126 a and projected cam portions 127 and 128 arearranged to outer-peripheral surfaces of the large and the small slidemolds 125 and 126, corresponding to the inner-peripheral surface of thefirst frame member 120. The wall surfaces 125 a and 126 a of the largeand the small slide molds 125 and 126 and the cam portions 127 and 128mold the single cam groove 121 of the first frame member 120 incooperation therewith.

[0199] Referring to FIG. 31, the three slide molds 124 are cylindricallycombined upon using. Referring to FIG. 32, the large and the small slidemolds 125 and 126 are closed for the purpose of the molding of the firstframe member 120. Referring to FIG. 33, after molding the first framemember 120, the large and the small slide molds 125 and 126 sequentiallymold in the three slid molds 124. Namely, the small slide mold 126 isfirst moved to the center of the optical axis (center of the mold), thenthe large slide mode 125 is moved to the center of the optical axis(center of the mold) and is opened, and the first frame member 120 isdetached from the large and the small slide molds 125 and 126.

[0200] That is, a guide portion and a driving portion (not shown) arearranged to the slide mold 124 and the large and the small slide molds125 and 126 are independently moved in the radial direction (moldpulling-out direction). In the three cylindrically-combined slide molds124, the large slide mold 125 in one slide mold 124 molds in a directionconnecting points VII-VII shown in FIG. 30. Then, the small slide mold126 in the one slide mold 124 molds in a direction connecting pointsIV-IV shown in FIG. 30. In this case, the two remaining slide molds 124mold in a direction having an angle of 120° to the mold pulling-outdirections of the large slide mold 125 and the small slide mold 126 inthe one slide mold 124 in the circumferential direction of the firstframe member 120.

[0201] Here, a description is given of the cam structure (shape) of thefirst frame member 120 which is molded by using three slide molds 124 asanother feature of the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[0202] In the first frame member 120, the molding direction of the largeslide mold 125 in the slide mold 124 (refer to FIG. 34) is differentfrom that of the small slide mold 126 (refer to FIG. 35). Then, thethree cam grooves 121 have bottom portions (cam bottoms) 121 a with thesame predetermined width corresponding to a moving distance of thesecond frame member 122. The cam groove 121 includes first wall surfaces121 b and 121 d as one pair of first inclined planes having aninclination to increase the widths toward peripheral surfaces(circumferential surfaces 125 a and 126 a) from the bottom portion, withwhich taper 123 c of the cam follower 123 slidably comes into contact atboth-side walls of a bottom portion (cam bottom) 121 a. The first wallsurfaces 121 b and 121 d have second wall surfaces 121 c and 121e whichare substantially in parallel with the molding directions of the largeand the small slide molds 125 and 126, as second inclined planes.Referring to FIGS. 34 and 35, reference numeral 120 a denotes a partingline which is generated by the combination of the large and the smallslide molds 125 and 126.

[0203] The bottom portion 121 a and the first and the second wallsurfaces 121 b, 121 d, 121 c, and 121 e of the cam groove 121 in thefirst frame member 120 include cam edge surfaces 127 a and 128 a andfirst cam surfaces 127 b and 128 b and second cam surfaces 127 c and 128c, of projected cam portions 127 and 128 in the large and the smallslide-molds 125 and 126 in the slide mold 124. The second wall surfaces121 c and 121 e are continuously formed through a third wall surface 121f in consideration of the molding inclination of the slide molds 125 and126 and of the prevention of drop-off of the cam follower 123 so thatthey are substantially in parallel with each other, with an angle of notless than 1° and not more than 10° to the molding direction on one side.The third wall surface 121 f comprises the small slide mold 126. Sincethe third wall surface 121 f is within the moving locus of the largeslide mold 125, it is formed with a shape to be out of the moving locuswith the molding inclination and is continuous to a second cam surface127 c.

[0204] That is, the cam groove 121 of the first frame member 120comprises: the first and the second wall surfaces 121 b and 121 c havingthe first and the second cam surfaces 127 b and 127 c of the cam portion127 in the large slide mold 125; and the first and the second wallsurfaces 121 d and 121 e having first and second cam surfaces 128 b and128 c of the cam portion 128 in the small slide mold 126.

[0205] The first wall surfaces 121 b and 121 d of the cam groove 121slidably come into contact with a conical surface (taper surface) of theedge of the cam follower 123, which substantially matches the locusformed by moving a conical portion (taper) of the edge of the camfollower 123. The second wall surface 121 c and the third wall portion121 f always have a substantially constant angle to the moldingdirection of the large slide mold 125. The second wall surface 121 ealways has a substantially constant angle to the molding direction ofthe small slide model 126. As these angles are increased, the moldingbecomes easy. However, advantageously, these angles are reduced as afunction of the eighth embodiment of the present invention. Therefore,preferably, these angles are set to have the molding inclination of notless than 1° and not more than 10° in the parallel direction with themolding direction.

[0206] A detailed description is given of the arrangement structure ofthe cam groove 121 of the first frame member 120 and the cam follower123 of the second frame member 122 with reference to FIGS. 36A to 36Eand FIGS. 37A to 37E. FIGS. 36A to 36E show cross sections near planesincluding center lines of the cam follower 123 and the optical axisshown in FIG. 30. FIGS. 37A to 37E show cross sections vertical to thecenter line of the cam groove 121, passing through the center line ofthe cam follower 123 at the same position of the cam follower 123 asthat shown in FIGS. 36A to 36E.

[0207] Further, FIGS. 36A to 36E show the cross sections when the camfollower 123 is located on a IV-VI, V-V, VI-VI, VII-VII, and VIII-VIIIcross sections shown in FIG. 30. FIGS. 37A to 37E show cross sectionsvertical to the center line (cam tracing), passing through the centerline of the cam follower 123, when the cam follower 123 is at the sameposition as that shown in FIGS. 36A to 36E. As mentioned above, theposition on the cross section IV-IV corresponds to the molding directionof the small slide mold 126 and the position on the cross sectionVII-VII corresponds to the molding direction of the large slide mold125. The position on the cross section V-V is near the parting line 120a between the large slide mold 125 and the small slide mold 126 and thepositions on the cross sections VI-VI and VIII-VIII are near both endsof the cam groove 121 comprising the large slide mold 125.

[0208] As will clearly be understood with reference to FIGS. 37A to 37E,the first wall surfaces 121 b and 121 d of the cam groove 121 are alwaysset to have substantially the same angle as that of the taper at theedge of the cam follower 123. Since the second wall surfaces 121 c arealways set to have a substantially constant angle in the moldingdirection of the large slide mold 125, as shown by the cross sections ofFIGS. 37A to 37E passing through the center line of the cam follower123, the second wall surfaces 121 c have the same opening angle on thecross section shown in FIG. 37D matching the molding direction of thelarge slide mold 125. As the positions of the second wall surfaces 121 care remoter from those in FIG. 37D, one of the second wall surfaces 121c is opened and the other is closed. In this example, the opening angleof the one of the second wall surfaced 121 c is approximate to theopening angle of the first wall surfaces 121 b on the cross sections ofFIGS. 37C and 37E and the other is inside of the first wall surfaces 121b as an under-cut portion in the center-line direction of the camfollower 123. The foregoing is applied to the cases shown in FIGS. 36Cand 36E.

[0209] The second wall surfaces 121 e of the cam groove 121 always havea substantially constant angle in the molding direction of the smallslide mold 126. Therefore, on the cross sections shown in FIGS. 37A to37E passing through the center line of the cam follower 123, the secondwall surfaces 121 e have the same opening angle on the cross section ofFIG. 37A matching the molding direction of the small slide mold 126.However, as the positions of the second wall surfaces 121 e are remoterfrom the positions on the cross section shown in FIG. 37A, the secondwall surfaces 121 e change so that one of the second wall surfaces 121 eis opened and the other is closed. A portion comprising the small slidemold 126 is small and, therefore, the change in opening angle of thesecond wall surfaces 121 e is not increased. However, since the one ofthe second wall surfaces 121 e becomes the third wall surface 121 fwhich is out of the moving locus of the large slide mold 125 at theposition on the cross section of FIG. 37B near the parting line 120 a,the opening angle of one cam surface is substantially the same as theopening angle of the first wall surfaces 121 d. The cam follower 123 hasa base end portion 123 b to be out of the inner-projected portion of thesecond wall surfaces 121 e.

[0210] As mentioned above, in the cam groove 121, the opening angles atmost portions on the second wall surfaces 121 c and 121 e and the thirdwall surface 121 f are smaller than the opening angles on the first wallsurfaces 121 b and 121 d. Thus, when unnecessary external force isapplied to the lens barrel, the cam follower 123 has the hook betweenthe large-diameter portion 123 d thereof and the second wall surfaces121 a and 121 e and therefore it cannot be detached from the cam groove121 as compared with the case in which the groove 121 has no second wallsurfaces 121 c and 121 e. Since the cam groove 121 has only the firstwall surfaces 121 b and 121 d which slidably come into contact with thecam follower 123, the opening angles of the second wall surfaces 121 cand 121 e and the third wall surface 121 f different from those of thefirst wall surfaces 121 b and 121 d do not influence on the normaloperation and the cam is preferably driven.

[0211] The seventh and eighth embodiments uses the barrel structure inwhich the second frame members 111 and 122 are moved linearly in theoptical axis direction by rotating the first frame members 110 and 120.However, the present invention is not limited to this and is applied tothe barrel structure in which the first frame members 110 and 120 aremoved linearly by rotating the second frame members 111 and 122.Further, the present invention is not limited to the two-barrelstructure and can be applied to various structures.

[0212] In addition, in the molding method according to the seventh andeighth embodiment, the both surfaces having the constant angle to themolding direction of the slide mold have the same angle. However, theydo not necessarily have the same angle. In the example according to theseventh and eighth embodiments, the portion not used for the user'sactual operation but only used for the assembling, and the end portionof the cam groove comprise two wall surfaces. However, they maydifferently be formed.

[0213] In addition, the seventh and eighth embodiments use the framemembers in which the cam grooves are arranged at equal intervals havingthe angle of 120° . However, the present invention is not limited tothis and always uses neither the three cam grooves nor the cam groovesarranged at the equal intervals. Further, a single slide mold can form aplurality of cam grooves.

[0214] According to the seventh and eighth embodiments,

[0215] (1) it is possible to provide the barrel device comprising theframe member comprising the cam groove having one pair of first wallsurfaces inclined from the cam bottom surface in the direction toincrease the width and the second wall surface extended from the onepair of first wall surfaces substantially in parallel with the moldingdirection, and

[0216] (2) it is possible to provide the barrel device comprising: thefirst frame member comprising the cam groove having one pair of firstwall surfaces inclined from the cam bottom surface in the direction toincrease the width and the second wall surface extended from the onepair of first wall surfaces substantially in parallel with the moldingdirection; and the second frame member having the taper engaged with andslidably touched to the first wall surfaces on the opposed side of thecam groove.

[0217] As mentioned above in detail, according to the seventh and eighthembodiments, it is possible to provide the barrel device with the simplestructure, which prevents the drop-off of the cam follower under theunnecessary external force to the lens barrel.

[0218] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments andcan variously be modified in a wide range without departing from thescope of the invention. Further, the above embodiments includes variousmodifications of the present invention and the prevent invention canvariously be modified by proper combination of a plurality of disclosedcomponents.

[0219] For example, when some components are deleted from the entirecomponents according to the above embodiments, the problems to be solvedby the present invention can be solved. When the described advantages ofthe present invention are obtained, the structure for deleting thecomponents can be applied to the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera having a photographing lens barrel, thecamera comprising: a first member covering the barrel outer-periphery ofthe photographing lens barrel; a second member fitting into theouter-periphery of the first member and covering a part of the exteriorof the camera; and a third member made of a metal material fitting intothe outer periphery of the first member and covering the outer peripheryof the first member.
 2. A camera according to claim 1, wherein the firstmember is tightened and connected to the second member.
 3. A cameraaccording to claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member aremade of a resin material.
 4. A camera having an exterior portion thereofassembled backward and forward of a photographing optical axis, thecamera comprising: a first member having a cylindrical shape forcovering a lens barrel portion; a second member having substantiallybox-shaped, for covering the front side of a camera main body; and athird member made of a metal material and fitting into the first member,wherein the exterior portion in front of the camera is formed byconnecting the first member, the second member, and the third member. 5.A camera according to claim 4, wherein the first member has aflange-shaped tightening and connecting portion at an end portion of thecylindrical portion thereof, and it is tightened and connected to thesecond member at the flange-shaped tightening and connecting portion. 6.A camera according to claim 4, wherein a strobe accommodating portion isintegrated to the second member which is substantially box-shaped.
 7. Acamera according to claim 4, wherein the first member and the secondmember are tightened and connected near the strobe accommodatingportion.
 8. A camera having a cylindrical exterior portion for coveringa barrel portion incorporating a photographing lens, the cameracomprising: a first cylindrical member forming the exterior portion andmade of a metal material; a second cylindrical member covering thebarrel portion and fitting into the inner periphery of the firstcylindrical member and has a stop portion for stopping the cylindricalmember; and a cover member detachable to the second cylindrical memberand covering the stop portion in an attaching state.
 9. A cameraaccording to claim 8, wherein the first cylindrical member has a displayportion which shows a feature of the camera.
 10. A camera according toclaim 8, wherein the cover member is flexible.
 11. A camera according toclaim 8, wherein the first cylindrical member can be detached in anassembling state of the camera.
 12. A lens barrel comprising: a firstframe member; a second frame member; and engaging means which preventsan apart state of the first frame member and the second frame member inthe optical axis direction by engaging the first frame member and thesecond frame member with each other before the lens barrel is completed.13. A lens barrel according to claim 12, wherein the first frame memberand the second frame member can relatively be moved after the completionof the lens barrel as a product.
 14. A lens barrel according to claim12, wherein the engaging means engages the first frame member and thesecond frame member with each other with an apart distance between thefirst frame member and the second frame member being smaller than themaximum apart distance or the minimum apart distance as a result ofrelative movement therebetween, when the lens barrel is used as acomplete product.
 15. An assembling method of a lens barrel having afirst lens, a first frame member holding the first lens, a second lens,a second frame member holding the second lens, and engaging meansengaging the first frame member with the second frame member, theassembling method comprising the steps of: fixing the second lens to thesecond frame member upon assembling the first lens to the first framemember; attaching, after the assembling, the first frame member and thesecond frame member to a center adjusting device; center-adjusting, bythe center adjusting device, the first lens so as to center-match thefirst lens to the second lens; and connecting, after completing thecenter adjustment, the first frame member to the second frame member bythe engaging means.
 16. An assembling method of a lens barrel having afirst lens, a first frame member holding the first lens, a second lens,a second frame member holding the second lens, and engaging meansengaging the first frame member with the second frame member, theassembling method comprising the steps of: relatively center-adjustingthe first lens and the second lens; and engaging, after the centeradjustment, the first frame member with the second frame member by theengaging means.
 17. An electronic device having a ring shaped space, theelectronic device comprising: a plurality of printed-circuit boardsarranged by combining crossed planes thereof in the ring shaped space.18. An electronic device according to claim 17, wherein the ring shapedspace has a central axis and the plurality of printed-circuit boardshave planes and further have normal vectors which are orthogonal to thecentral axis.
 19. An electronic device according to claim 17, whereinthe plurality of printed-circuit boards are polygonally arranged tosurround the central axis.
 20. An electronic device according to claim17, wherein the printed-circuit board comprises a flexible board.
 21. Anelectronic device according to claim 17, the plurality ofprinted-circuit boards have planes and have normal vectors which arenon-orthogonal to the central axis.
 22. An electronic device accordingto claim 21, the plurality of printed-circuit boards are arrangedpolygonally and conically to surround the central axis.
 23. Anelectronic device having a ring shaped space, the electronic devicecomprising: a printed-circuit board which is arranged so that a normalof a plane thereof in the ring shaped space is non-orthogonal to thecentral axis of the ring shaped space.
 24. An electronic deviceaccording to claim 23, wherein a plurality of the printed-circuit boardsare combined and are arranged in the ring shaped space.
 25. A barreldevice comprising: a frame member provided with a cam groove having abottom portion with a predetermined width and having a pair of firstinclined planes facing each other and having inclinations to increasewidths thereof toward a peripheral surface from the bottom portion andhaving a second inclined plane continuously formed from one of the pairof first inclined planes, the second inclined plane having aninclination in an inner direction of the width.
 26. A barrel deviceaccording to claim 25, wherein the second inclined plane is arrangedsubstantially in parallel with a mold pulling-out direction of a moldfor the cam groove.
 27. A barrel device according to claim 25, whereinthe frame member has the cam groove on an outer-peripheral surfacethereof.
 28. A barrel device according to claim 25, wherein the framemember has the cam groove on an inner-peripheral surface thereof.
 29. Abarrel device according to claim 25, wherein the second inclined planeis arranged substantially in parallel with a mold pulling-out directionof a mold for the cam groove.
 30. A barrel device comprising: a firstframe member provided with a cam groove having a bottom portion with apredetermined width, the cam groove having a pair of first inclinedplanes facing each other and having inclinations to increase widthsthereof toward a peripheral surface from the bottom portion, and asecond inclined plane continuously formed from one of the pair of firstinclined planes, the second inclined plane having an inclination in aninner direction of the width; and a second frame member provided with acam follower having a taper, the taper having the maximum diameter inthe cam groove and engaged with and slidably touched to the firstinclined planes.
 31. A barrel device according to claim 30, wherein thefirst frame member has the cam groove on an outer-peripheral surface.32. A barrel device according to claim 30, wherein the first framemember has the cam groove on an inner-peripheral surface.
 33. A barreldevice comprising: a frame member provided with a cam groove having abottom portion with a predetermined width, and having a pair of firstinclined planes facing each other and having inclinations to increasewidths thereof toward a peripheral surface from the bottom portion, anda second inclined plane continuously formed from one of the pair offirst inclined planes, the second inclined plane having an inclinationdifferent from the inclination of the first inclined plane.
 34. A barreldevice according to claim 33, wherein the inclination of the secondinclined plane has an angle smaller than an angle formed by a linevertical to the bottom portion and the first inclined plane.